Rotor Challenge wows Solent students
Students briefed by Nicola Parr and Solent student ambassador Georgina. Photography by Tina Knowles.
Hundreds of students from Hampshire schools flocked to the Get Inspired careers event at Solent University on 12 May. The largest exhibit they faced was the Rotor Challenge created by the Hands On The Future (HOTF) group.
STEM ambassador Nicola Parr, who was presenting on the HOTF stand and works as a broadcast engineer at Winchester-based Arqiva, said: “The EBP event at Southampton was such a privilege to be a part of, especially as an alumnus of Solent University.
“I met so many keen young people during the day, and some of them were inspired to consider engineering as a career, as a result of the HOTF stand. It’s great for me to broaden their horizons and teach them about the different engineering disciplines they can do.
“Doing these kinds of outreach events is important to me as I want young people to have the opportunity to discover their futures as they go, and look at what is out there for them to do.
“There will always be careers in Engineering that won’t exist while people are at school, so it’s important to keep their engagement going. EBP do a fantastic job at supporting young people through their careers, challenge stereotypes and creating life-changing interactions that last.
“EBP do a fantastic job at supporting young people through their careers, challenging stereotypes and creating life-changing interactions that last.”
HOTF founder Peter Mucci added: “We have met many youngsters who have done the Rotor Challenge, which we have honed over five years, and they are now considering engineering as a career. Significantly there seems to be a higher proportion of girls showing more than just a passing interest.”
Southampton-based HOTF, which is campaigning to revive the teaching of hands-on skills, acquired a ‘retired’ helicopter tail rotor gearbox and rotor from the Army Flying Museum three years ago. They commissioned a set of identical looking precision-made bolts for students to measure precisely, with only one of the set being the correct diameter to complete the fitting of a rotor blade. This challenge tests students’ hand-eye coordination, dexterity and concentration.
EBP South, the organisers of Get Inspired events, aim to give students aged 11-16 the chance to see a broad range of career paths in businesses in the region. Get Inspired for Portsmouth schools is on 7 June at Portsmouth Guildhall.